Ahmedabad Crime Branch busts Syrian gang posing as Gaza victims, one arrested

Ahmedabad City Crime branch on Friday claimed to have busted a racket involving a group of Syrian nationals who allegedly posed as victims of the Gaza conflict to collect donations from mosques and individuals in the city.

The Crime Branch has arrested one suspect, identified as Ali Meghat Al Zaher, a Syrian citizen who had entered India on a tourist visa. Officials said that Al Zaher, along with three accomplices, had been approaching religious places and local communities, seeking money under the guise of humanitarian aid for war-affected civilians in Gaza.

During interrogation, police said, it emerged that Al Zaher had been diverting the funds to finance a lavish lifestyle rather than for any relief work. His three associates are absconding after learning of the crackdown.

Senior officials said the activities posed “a serious threat to the country’s internal security”, given the suspects’ violation of visa conditions and their involvement in “suspicious and unlawful activities.” Investigators are currently probing whether the money collected was being channelled for any ulterior purposes.

The case has now been taken up jointly by state and central agencies, including intelligence units, to ascertain the wider network of the gang and the flow of funds.

Meanwhile, police said that Al Zaher has been detained, and proceedings have been initiated to blacklist and deport him from India.